Evolving Technologies, E-Tech (Part 1)
The Power Grid, Part 1
How are evolving technologies impacting your electric system? You need to stay informed of the changes in the electric utility industry. While not exhaustive, we have compiled research on several technologies that are greatly impacting your electric system. This 3-part blog series is a snapshot of what Allgeier Martin can do to help you reduce risk and meet your users’ needs. A more thorough whitepaper is available upon request.
In Part 1, we discuss four evolving technologies affecting the power grid. Those technologies are
Distributed Generation
Smart Grids
Microgrids
Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings (GEB’s).
Distributed Generation
Distributed Generation (DG) has been around for a while. There are various types of power generation used by private citizens and businesses. These methods allow consumers to power their facilities in the event of a power outage. These devices include wind turbines, solar panels, and fuel generators. DG tools are designed to power up in the event of a loss of utility power.
Smart Grid
Smart Grid deployment has been a hot topic in recent years. The Smart Grid utilizes digital technology to obtain and provide data, allow devices to communicate with one another, and improve reliability. This happens by keeping the energy flowing to customers despite unexpected changes to the electric system. One such digital technology is Automated Meter Infrastructure (AMI) meters. AMI meters can record energy usage in very short periods. Communication devices linked to computers assist electric system operations by minimizing power outages and optimizing available power. Devices such as electronic thermostats, interactive appliances, and additional monitoring devices within a home electric breaker panel fill the need to curtail peaks.
Microgrid
A Microgrid can be viewed as a miniature electric grid. They are a small network of electric users that utilize a local energy source that operates independently from the normal electric grid. Microgrids use intelligent control systems that manage and regulate various electric generation equipment. Microgrids can be synchronized to tie back into the main electric utility grid. This process could assist with peak shaving demands, boosting voltages, or supplying energy to critical areas when the grid is down.
Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings (GEB)
Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings are becoming more common. Materials are stronger, and more energy efficient. Advanced controls can adjust building energy use. Control systems in buildings can look at a wealth of information and adjust energy use accordingly and be time responsive to take advantage of time-of-use rates or avoid peaks. They can even use the building’s PVs and batteries to curtail energy demands to reduce or shift energy peaks.
What Can You Do?
These evolving technologies can change how power flows on the grid. Problem areas can develop where there were no problems before. Portions of your system can experience low voltage, high voltage, or over loading. Calculations and analyses should be performed to see how your electric system handles these changes before they are installed. With all these changes, new standards are being implemented and are continually being updated. Be aware that your policies may need to be adjusted to keep up with the changes allowed by these new standards or by changes from your customers. What works today may not work tomorrow. We stay informed and up-to-date to ensure your success.
New technologies are emerging every day. It can be quite a challenge to keep up with all of it. Continue to stay informed by contacting us. The full whitepaper is available if requested in the contact section.
Contact Brent or David to learn more about preparing for Evolving Technologies!
Brent has been an Electrical Engineer with Allgeier, Martin and Associates, Inc. since 2006. He has performed design and planning services for a variety of rural electric cooperatives, municipalities and investor-owned utilities. He has been the Project Manager on a multitude of projects ranging from design drawings and specifications for new Distribution and Transmission Lines to Substations. He is often called upon for short & long-range planning studies, site inspections, coordination studies and arc flash studies. Brent has expanded into assisting clients with PV, EV charging and wind turbine load analysis.